Green Bay - Calls and emails to a gambling helpline in Wisconsin went up seven percent in 2012. The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling says a challenging economy is one reason for the increase. The council's annual report shows hotline operators handled about 14,500 calls and emails in 2012.That's up about 1,000 from the year before.
Council executive director Rose Gruber says gamblers who lose their job or have other financial difficulties hope a big win will fix their problems. Callers reported an average of nearly 40-thousand dollars in gambling debt last year. (Copyright 2013 Associated Press - All Rights Reserved)